Sports Game

ABSTRACT

A sports game for providing players with a fun and dynamic activity. The sports game is played using a pair of hitting elements, a pair of bases, a ball, and a plurality of stacking elements. The game is played by two opposing teams in which one team pitches the ball in an attempt to knock over stacking elements disposed behind each of the bases and the other team attempts to hit the ball as it is pitched in order to prevent the ball from hitting the stacking elements. After hitting the ball, the hitter runs between the bases in order to accumulate points.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/048,860 filed on Sep. 11, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to game devices. More specifically, the present invention provides a sports game method of play which uses a plurality of stacking elements and pair of bases, wherein the bases are separated from one another by a predetermined distance so as to serve as a marker for the placement of the stacking elements and one or more players. The sports game further uses a pair of hitting elements and a ball, wherein a pair of players on a first team stand across from one another and pitch the ball in an attempt to knock over the stacking elements disposed behind each base. A pair of players on an opposing team attempt to hit the ball with the hitting elements in order to prevent the ball from reaching and knocking over the stacking elements.

Many individuals often engage in various activities in order to get in shape, stay healthy, socialize, and have fun. However, many children often lose interest in physical sports and become bored easily. Having a sedentary lifestyle can lead to childhood obesity and other related health issues. Furthermore, conventional outdoor games geared towards adults and older children are not easily modified in order to be played by younger children. Therefore, there exists a need in the prior art for a game that can be played by users of all ages while incorporating entertaining components in order to motivate children and adults to be active.

Devices and methods have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to game devices and methods. These include devices and methods that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices and methods generally relate to hitting a ball with a mallet or paddle, such as U.S. Pat. No. 8,409,035, U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2013/0337946, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0010352. Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,722, generally relates to a method for playing a game consisting of two bases, six cans, a ball, and a bat, wherein a player attempts to hit the cans with batted ball.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The prior art devices and methods comprise a hitting element, such as a bat, paddle, or mallet, used to hit a ball, wherein a player earns points by knocking over a can or a tower-type device. However, the prior art fails to disclose a two-team game, wherein a first team attempts to hit a ball in order to prevent a second team from knocking over a set of stacking elements.

In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing sports games. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of sports games now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new sports game wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when modifying a sports game to be played by people of all ages.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sports game that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sports game that is played using a pair of bases, a pair of bats, a ball, and a plurality of stacking elements, wherein the bases are adapted to be separated by a predetermined distance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sports game wherein a first set of stacking elements are positioned behind a first base and a second set of stacking elements are positioned behind a second base.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sports game wherein stacking elements are stacked one on top of another in order to increase the level of difficulty.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sports game method of play wherein four players are divided into two teams such that one team can bat and the other team can pitch the ball, wherein the hitters can swing at the ball using the hitting elements and attempt to hit the ball in order to prevent the pitcher from knocking over the stacked elements disposed behind each base.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sports game method of play wherein a pair of hitters run between the two bases and contact them in order to accumulate points once a hitter hits the ball, while the pitching team attempts to retrieve the ball in order to continue pitching to knock down the stacking elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sports game that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the components used to play the sports game.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the sports game in play.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for a method of play of the sports game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the sports game. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for modifying a sports game to be played by people of all ages. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the components used to play the sports game. The sports game 11 is played using a pair of bases 12, wherein the bases 12 are positioned apart from one another at a predetermined distance. In play, the bases 12 are used to mark the positioning of where one or more players are required to stand. The sports game 11 further uses a ball 14 and a pair of hitting elements 13. The ball 14 is spherical in shape and adapted to make contact with the bats 13 and stacking elements 15. Any suitable ball 15 can be used, such as a baseball, tennis ball, and whiffle ball, among others. Each hitting element 13 includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is held by a user and the second end is used to strike the ball 14. Any suitable hitting element 13 can be used, including a racquet, a stick, and a paddle, among others.

A plurality of stacking elements 15 serve as targets to be knocked over by the ball 14. A first stacking element 15 can be stacked on a second stacking element 15, wherein one or more additional stacking elements 15 can be placed on the second stacking element 15. Preferably, each stacking element 15 comprises the same size as one another. Preferably, the stacking elements comprise can-like structures.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a perspective view of the sports game in play and a flowchart for a method of play of the sports game, respectively. The method of play of the sports game comprises a first team (team A) and a second team (team B), wherein the first team includes a first hitter 16 and a second hitter 24 and the second team includes a first pitcher 17 and a second pitcher 17. The method further comprises separating the first base 12 and second base 12 from one another by a predetermined distance in order to serve as markers for the positioning of each of the teams. In the illustrated embodiment, the first pitcher 17 stands behind or adjacent to the rear edge of the first base 12 and a second pitcher 23 stands behind or adjacent to the rear edge of the second base 12. Whereas the first hitter 16 stands on or next to the lateral edge of the second base 12 and the second hitter 24 stands on or next to the lateral edge of the first base 12. These are the starting positions for each player 16, 17, 23, 24 and team.

The bases 12 further indicate the positioning of the stacking elements 15. In the illustrated embodiment, a first set of stacking elements 15 are positioned adjacent to a rear edge of the first base 12 and a second set of stacking elements 15 are positioned adjacent to a rear edge of the second base 12, wherein the positioning mirrors one another. The stacking elements 15 and players are positioned in this way relative to the bases 12 in order to allow adequate space between the hitters 16 and the pitchers 16 so as to avoid hitting one another with a ball 14 or hitting elements 13. Each pitcher 17, 23 takes a turn throwing the ball 14 in an attempt to knock over a set of stacking elements 15, whereas each hitter 16, 24 attempts to prevent the ball 14 from hitting the stacking elements 15 by hitting the ball 14 with the hitting element 13 before it reaches the stacking elements 15.

The stacking elements 15 are positioned in a two by two formation, meaning two stacking elements 15 are positioned side by side and each having another stacking element 15 on top thereof. However, in alternate embodiments, the stacking elements 15 may be disposed in any number of formations. Thus, the various formations allow for more challenging or less challenging games. The larger the formation, the larger the target provided, thus making the game easier for younger children with less developed hand eye coordination. The smaller the formation, the smaller the target to be hit, thus making the game more challenging.

In play, the first pitcher 17 throws the ball 14 towards the second base 12 in an attempt to knock over the first set of stacking elements 15. If the first pitcher 17 knocks over the stacking elements 15, the first team is “out,” meaning the teams switch positions so as to allow the pitchers 17, 23 to become the hitters 16, 24 and the hitters 16, 24 to become the pitchers 17, 23. All the stacking elements 15 in a set are required to be knocked down with a single throw of the ball 14, however, in alternate embodiments, only one or more stacking elements 15 need to be knocked over by the first or second pitcher 17, 23.

The objective of the pitchers 17, 23 is to become the hitters 16, 24 because, in the illustrated embodiment, points are accumulated by the hitters 16, 24 once the ball 14 is hit thereby. Once the ball 14 is hit, the hitters 16, 24 run between the each base 12 and contact the bases 12 with a foot or the bat 13. Each time a hitter 16, 24 contacts a first or second base 12, points are accumulated. During the turn of the first pitcher 17 and first hitter 16, the second pitcher 23 is awaiting his or her turn to pitch and is responsible for retrieving the ball 14, along with the first pitcher 17, if hit by the first hitter 16. The second hitter 24 is awaiting his or her turn to hit the ball 14, as well as preparing to run between the bases 12 in the event that the first hitter 16 hits the ball 14.

However, the first hitter 16 is able to prevent the ball 14 from reaching the stacking elements 15 by hitting the ball 14 with the hitting element 13 as the ball 14 passes over the second base 12. The first and second hitter 16, 24 are able to earn and accumulate points if the first or second hitter 16, 24 hits the ball 14. Once a hitter 16, 24 hits the ball 14 with the hitting element 13, each hitter 16, 24 runs between the first base 12 and second base 12 while each of the pitchers 17, 23 retrieve the ball 14. A predetermined point value is earned each time a first hitter 16 or a second hitter 24 run to and touch the first base 12 or the second base 12. The hitters 16, 24 are able to accumulate points until the pitchers 17, 23 are able to retrieve the ball 14 and knock over either the first set or the second set of the stacking elements 15 while throwing from the starting position. In this way, the hitters 16, 24 are “out” once the stacking elements 15 are knocked over.

Alternatively, the second pitcher 23 then throws the ball towards the first set of stacking elements if the first pitcher 17 is unable to knock over the stacking elements 15 and the first hitter 16 is unable to hit the ball 14. The second hitter 24 then has the opportunity to prevent the ball 14 from reaching the first set of stacking elements 15 by hitting the ball 14 with his or her hitting element 13. The players continue to alternate turns until the first or second pitcher 17, 23 knocks over their respective stacking elements 15 in order to get the first and second hitter 16, 24 “out.” The team that accumulates a predetermined score first wins the game.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A sports game method of play, comprising: providing a sports game including; a first base and a second base, one or more hitting elements, a ball, a plurality of stacking elements, throwing said ball by a first pitcher toward said plurality of stacking elements in order to knock over said plurality of stacking elements; swinging a bat by a first hitter in order to hit said ball, preventing said ball from knocking over said plurality of stacking elements. 2) The sports game method of play of claim 1, further comprising the step of alternating throwing by said first pitcher and a second pitcher. 3) The sports game method of play of claim 1, further comprising the step of alternating throwing by said first hitter and a second hitter. 4) The sports game method of play of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: separating said first base from said second base by a predetermined distance from one another; stacking said plurality of stacking elements on top of one another, wherein a first set of said plurality of stacking elements are stacked adjacent to said first base and a second set of said plurality of stacking elements are stacked adjacent to said second base; positioning said first hitter adjacent to said first base and a second hitter adjacent to said second base, wherein said first hitter and said second hitter are on a first team; positioning said first pitcher adjacent to said second base and a second pitcher adjacent to said first base, wherein said first hitter and said second hitter are on a second team; having said first pitcher throw said ball at said second set of said plurality of stacking elements in an attempt to knock over said plurality of stacking elements; preventing said ball thrown by said first pitcher from knocking over said second set of said plurality of stacking elements by said first hitter swinging said second hitting element as said ball passes over said second base. 5) The sports game method of play of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: having said second pitcher throw said ball at said first set of said plurality of stacking elements in an attempt to knock over said plurality of stacking elements; preventing said ball thrown by said second pitcher from knocking over said first set of said plurality of stacking elements by said first hitter swinging said first hitting element as said ball passes over said first base. 6) The sports game method of play of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: having said first pitcher retrieve said ball hit by said first hitter; earning points by said first hitter and a second hitter every time each of said first hitter and said second hitter run to and touch said first base; earning points by said first hitter and said second hitter every time each of said first hitter and said second hitter run to and touch said second base. 7) The sports game method of play of claim 6, further comprising the steps of: getting said first hitter out by said first pitcher knocking over said plurality of stacking elements while said first hitter is running between said first base and said second base; switching said positioned of said first hitter and a second hitter with said first pitcher and a second pitcher, wherein said first hitter becomes said first pitcher and said second hitter becomes said second pitcher. 